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Water QualityByStephani Clark,Raphaelita Bishara,Jeff Worthington, andBrittany Willis

http://www.unit16.net/tie2pics/el_rio_grande_1180.jpg1Main Points andCommon Themes: Sources of Contamination Regulation of Contamination in Water Depletion of Clean Water Surface Water/Ground Water Interaction2Surface Water/Ground Water Interaction3

All components of aquatic ecosystems are integrally connected, via surface water, groundwater, and other hydrological and ecological connections (Dernbach, J.C., 2009).4

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Effects of Human Activities on SW and GW Interaction: Agricultural Development Irrigation Systems Agricultural Chemicals Drainage of Land Surface River Valley Modifications Construction of Levees Construction of Reservoirs Removal of Natural Vegetation Atmosphere Modifications Atmospheric Deposition Global Warming9

10Chemical Interactions of Ground Water and Surface Water: Ground-water chemistry and surface-water chemistry cannot be dealt with separately where surface and subsurface flow systems interact. The movement of water between ground water and surface water provides a major pathway for chemical transfer between terrestrial and aquatic systems. This transfer of chemicals affects the supply of carbon, oxygen, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and other chemical constituents that enhance biogeochemical processes on both sides of the interface. This transfer can ultimately affect the biological and chemical characteristics of aquatic systems downstream (Winter, 2008).

11Effects of coal mines on water quality

12Coal MinesCoal is a valuable resource used in energy productionProduces $500,000,000 in revenue in the state of New Mexico every year. Mined in New Mexico and worldwideCan have serious environmental consequences

13Coal mines as Non-point sourceCoal mines become non-point source pollutors if they are not operated, constructed or reclaimed adequately (http://www.water.ky.gov/sw/nps/). Precipitation causes loose sediment to wash into streams with harmful substances naturally found with coal.

http://www.brentnebeker.org/RaySnow.JPG14Coal mines as point sourceRegulated under Coal Mine Point Source category of CWAApplies to active minesStandards set for settable solids, heavy metal deposition and pH.

So which is it ?No real consensus. In CWA part 434 as point source, yet treated as a non-point source also. 15Coal mines as sources of pollutionCoal mines affect water quality in two waysActive mines contribute to changes in pH in waterways.ErosionHeavy metals

Abandoned mines can cause acid mine drainage and toxicity in surface and ground water. ErosionHeavy metals

16Active coal minesIn New Mexico:Coal mining companies are required to develop reclamation plans before beginning mining. Coal mines must pay into abandoned mine regulation fund Established by Surface Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.Activities regulated by New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, Mining and Minerals Division.

emnrd.state.nm.us17New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources DepartmentCoal Mine Regulation Program (CMRP)Involved in regulation, inspection, enforcement.Developed in 1980s under Surface Mine Control and Regulation Act (1977). CMRP monitors active minesMines get Notice of Violation if they violate any rulesCan appeal or fix problem18Abandoned Coal MinesNo regulations when many abandoned mines were developed. Abandoned Mine Land ProgramPartnership of state agency and Department of Interiors Office of Surface MiningFunded by Abandoned MineRestoration FundAbandoned mine must qualify under one 0f three criteria

http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/MMD/MMDNotes/fullsize/Story310_DillonCanyon_2006.JPG19Environmental Damage

ErosionIncreased turbidityIncreased light filtrationCarries heavy metals

Acid Mine Drainage20Acid Mine drainageCoal occurs with rocks containing sulfide, commonly pyrite Sulfide exposed to air and water during mining operationsCoal gob, or piles of waste rock, contain sulfide.Oxidizes in presence of air and water Creates sulfuric acidSulfuric acid transports heavy metals to ground and surface waterPoisons plant and animal life creating dead streams

21Acid Mine Drainage

. From www.agf.gov.bc.ca/.../images/acid_mine_fig1.jpg22Case study: Sugarite gob restorationLocated near Raton, NMCoal mining operations from 1912 to 1942The Problem:Extensive gob piles left behindGob piles had high saline levels, were moderately acidic, contained heavy metals and were actively eroding; in some places, channels cut 20 feet deep into gob piles.Eroding into Chicorica Creek, causing excessive sedimentation and toxicity; Chicorica Creek is used for trout fishing and downstream irrigation. In some cases, the gob piles were in contact with the creek. Chicorica Creek located only 300 feet from the mine entranceCoal mine waste impacted 22 acres of land23Sugarite State ParkRemediation efforts began when Sugarite Canyon became a State Park in 1983New Mexico Abandoned Mine Land Bureau, under direction of Office of Surface Mining, began remediationDriving factors:EnvironmentalWater qualitySafety

http://k41.pbase.com/g6/17/586817/2/86145046.yXCSBvc7.jpg24The goalReduce acidic runoffReduce erosionReduce turbidity and sedimentation into Chicorica Creek

25The Remediation PlanMain problem was erosionStraw bale terraces builtCompost and fertilizer added to gob clay to make hospitable for plantsSeedlings planted

To reduce acidic runoffLime incorporated into acidic gob to increase pH

From Sugarite Canyon Reclamation Project Report

26What to do about coal mine pollution?Monitoring active coal mines for pollutant release can help decrease pollution. Reclaiming abandoned coal minesMust find a balance between need for coal for energy production and health of the environment.

http://ecotechdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/coal_pile_620.jpg27Effects of Agriculture on Water Quality

28Largest nonpoint source of pollution due to human land use: AGRICULTURE!

Most abundant contaminant = soilIncludes manure, chemical fertilizers and pesticides Fertilizers used on land add nitrogen and phosphorus thatwash back into the water supplyPesticides used to control insects wash into water supply29

How do pollutants get into the water system?

Usually washed in due to water itselfRainfall (natural)Irrigation or diversion of water (human-induced)Can come from point or nonpoint sourcesSurface runoff (irrigation or rainfall) flows downhill until it meets a barrier- such as a body of waterLeaching(precipitation or irrigation) enters soil and can contaminate water table

30New Mexico Environment Department

Administered water quality laws for the state of NMIncludes: all waters sitting in or bordering the state whether it be public, private, surface or nonsurfaceNumeric and narrative water quality standards established by WQCCThis includes criteria for toxic pollutants in water used for irrigation, domestic water supply and livestock watering31Water Quality Control Commission

Established by NM State Water Quality Act Adopt comprehensive water quality management programs Develop continuing planning processAdoption of water quality standards 32Designated uses for water by NM WQCC

Coldwater fisheriesIrrigation (including storage) Livestock watering Fish culture Some warm water fisheries Wildlife habitat Industrial usageDomestic usesMunicipal uses

33Water Quality Data: Belen 2008

34The Watershed Protection Section

Responsible for implementing nonpoint source management programImplement best management practices to reduce non-point source pollutants from entering waterWorkplans include: watershed association development, riparian area restoration, spill response, and treatment of abandoned mines35Nonpoint Source Management Program

Principal sources of NPS pollution in NM include erosion from rangelands and agricultural activitiesCurrently implementing a dynamic and aggressive program to reduce human-induced pollutants for non point sources from entering the water supplyProviding education and outreach activities to promote NPS pollution reductionWorking together with Federal, State, tribal, regional, and local entities.http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/SWQB/WPS/index.html36Best Management Practices (under NPSMP)

Structural practices: diversions, temporary sediment basins, animal waste lagoons, fencing, terraces, and other constructed means of reducing pollution.Nonstructural practices: resource management techniques- timing and rate of fertilizer or pesticide application, conservation tillage methods, livestock grazing rotation, riparian planting, and upland revegetation.

37Structural BMPs used in southwest

-includes Middle Rio GrandeDrain inlet insertsExtended detention basinsBiofiltersMedia filtersInfiltration Largest contributer of bacteria load: anthropogenic including pets and livestock

38NM Pesticide Control Act

Rules for proper application and disposal of pesticide being used:Only to be applied by a licensed certified applicator and pesticide to be used must be registered for use in New MexicoShould be disposed of in permitted waste disposal sitesAny apparatus that has pesticide in it should be cleaned at waste site or in evaporation ponds so it will not get into waterNo pesticide waste shall be disposed of in sewer or storm drainBut pesticides can still be washed into water system by rain or irrigation runoff39Classes of Pesticides

InsecticidesUsed to control insect (and other animal control agents are similar)Persist and remain in environment for a long period of time-also remain toxic longerCan enter water system and accumulate ininvertebrates, fish, birds, mammals, humans

40Classes of Pesticides

HerbicidesCause disruption or stop normal plant growthMany characteristics are toxic to fishCan cause harm to plants found in/near water system-important effects on food chain

41Classes of Pesticides

FungicidesUsed to suppress or kill a variety of microorganismsOne of the most common chemicals usedClearly a danger to pollution due to improper application, storage and disposalPersistent and remain in environment for a long period of timeTarget more than one biological process in target organisms

42What if people want to use it downstream?

Chemical contaminants in water includeSynthetic organic pollutants (pesticides) Lead (from pipes) Nitrates & Phosphates (fertilizers)

43What if people want to use it downstream?

Waterborne diseases include: bacterial (Salmonella & E.coli)viral (Hep A) protozoans (Giardia)

44Federal Water Pollution Control Act-1948

Restore & maintain chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations watersEstablish national policy for prevention, control and abatement of water pollutionEliminate discharge of all pollutants in nations navigable watersAchieve an interim level of water quality that protects fish, shellfish, and wildlife recreation1956-Amendments added to strengthen enforcements: state consent no longer needed for Federal intervention if health was endangered

45Safe Drinking Water Act-1974

EPA must establish National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for contaminants that may be in water that cause adverse health effectsRegulations include Maximum Contaminant Levels and nonenforceable health goals for each contaminant found in water

46Safe Drinking Water Act-1974

Maximum Contaminant Level- legal threshold limit on amount of hazardous substance allowed in drinking water Establish Maximum Contaminant Levels for more than 80 biological, chemical and radioactive pollutants

47How should we control nonpoint source pollution due to agriculture?

Erosion control to reduce amount of pollutants entering water system due to runoffReduce the amount of nutrients (from fertilizers, manure etc.) that are applied to farmland, therefore reducing the amount that will be carried by runoff and into the water systemDecrease the amount of chemical pesticide used to control pest problems, including biological pest control

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Storm Water Management in Albuquerque49

50Is AMAFCA Doing Allit Can?

51EPA Waterbody Quality Assessment Report: No TMDL data available in 2008 Cause of impairment: Escherichia Coli Probable source groups of impairment: Urban-related runoff/storm water Municipal discharges/sewage Natural/wildlife52

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54Sources of Contamination: Bird, dog, human feces Roadway chemicals Construction chemicals Agricultural chemicals Domestic/industrial waste

55Source Groups ofContamination: North, south, and other storm water floodway channels Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, and other point source sewage discharges Ground water discharges Naturally occurring events Atmospheric deposition

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59Best Management Practices: Storm water wetland areas Wet pond areas Bioretention areas Permeable concrete Green roofs Rainwater harvesting Scoop the poop program60

Storm Water Wetland Areas:61Wet Pond Areas:

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Bioretention Areas:63

Permeable Concrete:64

Green Roofs:65

Rainwater Harvesting:

66Scoop the Poop Program:

67Water Management and Urban Development:A Quality and Quantity Issue

68Americas Urban LandscapeSince World War II Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in Suburbia with 80% of everything in the U.S. being built in the last fifty years.The Growth of suburbs after WWII was facilitated by the availability of FHA loans, economic growth, the newly designed highway system along with the increase in personal car ownership, and the general ideology of Americans to live away from the troubles of City Life.Since the beginning of the 21st Century, Americans have not stopped this development outward into Suburbia, but serious questions, especially here in New Mexico concerning water, about the sustainability of this expansion has been increasing.69Albuquerques Urban Landscape: Rio RanchoRio Rancho is the third largest and fastest growing city in New MexicoAs of the 2000 census the city population was 51,765 people, and has risen to 75,978 residents as of the 2007 census estimate.The city has a total area of 73.5 square miles.70Water in New MexicoPollution and poorly planned development has endangered New Mexicos limited water supplies. New Mexicos water problems are the product of unwise patterns and policies, lack of conservation, over pumping and excessive river water withdrawal, inter and intra-basin transfers, development, and pollution.Rio Rancho receives its water supply primarily from the Santa Fe Group Aquifer, not from the Rio Grande River.71Water in New Mexico Cont.Its estimated that about 20 billion acre feet of water exists in ground water deposits in New Mexico, only about one quarter of that is considered drinkable and most of the rest is not readily accessible or cost-effective to recover.Ground water aquifers, river, and streams are hydrologically-connected, such that surface water rejuvenates ground water supplies through leaching, while ground water often flows into streams in the form of springs.72Water Policy in New MexicoThe rapid growth of communities, like Rio Rancho, has consequences for New Mexicos limited water supply. Water policy has simply not kept up with modern needs.

As the population of NM and the greater SW region grew, surface water became fully appropriated and disputes emerged between states to determine how much water each state was able to use from each surface water source. As a result, interstate stream compacts emerged, dividing up water rights and setting use limits.

In total, New Mexicos water use is guided by eight compacts: the Colorado River Compact, the Upper colorado River Compact, the Rio Grande Compact, the Pecos River Compact, the Canadian Compact, the La Plata Compact, the Animas La Plata Project Compact, and Costilla Creek Compact.73From: Aletta Belin, Consuelo Bokum and Frank Titus, Taking Charge of Our Water Destiny: A Water Management Policy Guide for New Mexico in the 21st Century, 2002.A fully appropriated water system in NM means that all surface water is appropriated. So, in dry years all junior water rights users may not be able to access water, if that water is required by senior water rights holders. However, full appropriation quickly becomes overappropriation when junior users rely on ground water, which is some cases comes from unmetered and unregulated domestic wells. Drawing on this ground water means that less water flows at surface levels, and is therefore unavailable for senior water rights holders. Moreover, depletion of ground water and the long-term impacts are difficult to detect immediately, prevent, or remedy once identified.74Water Policy in NM Cont.This situation leaves the state in a difficult position. To date, only minimal steps have been taken by the Office of the State Engineer to address the problem of impairment of water rights to senior users, because doing so would mean cutting off water to cities.Water demands continue to increase, more water is withdrawn from an already delicate and overworked system than is being introduced, and NM will continue to risk violating interstate stream compacts. This just furthers the need to adopt policies and solutions that will balance New Mexicos water quality and quantity.75Pollution in NM WaterPolluted water affects quantity because it removes needed water from an already stressed supply. Unfortunately, both surface and ground water are highly susceptible to pollution, and once contaminated, these water sources are difficult to treat.The result is a combination of artificially-introduced and naturally-occurring contaminants that make their way into NMs ground and surface water supplies.76Salinity in NMHigh salinity is also major problem in parts of NM. The main sources of the salinity are: agricultural runoff, industrial practices that require ultra pure water and release large volumes of saline water, waste water treatment, household water softeners, and natural sources from rock and soil.This pollution problem becomes a water scarcity issue when salinity is above 500 parts per million, which the point at which water is neither drinkable or usable for irrigation.77Current Water SolutionsRio Rancho Water Conservations OrdinancesRio Ranchos comprehensive water reuse strategy

78Rio Rancho Water Conservation OrdinanceOrdinance No. 19 Enactment No. 03-022Adopted by the City on June 25, 2003.

This Ordinance shall address water use recommendations to assist in reducing the overall per capita water use in the City. Water conservation measures are encouraged for all privately owned and government properties.79Rio Rancho Water Conservation OrdinanceThe Water Conservation Ordinance is comprised of three main components:Prohibited Acts for water waste and fugitive waterTime of Day watering restrictionsWater by Request

80Rio Ranchos Comprehensive Water Reuse StrategyFrom Rio Ranchos Water Quality Report Spring 2008This strategy involves the use of high-quality reclaimed water to supplement the Citys limited groundwater supply and to minimize the declines of aquifer water levels.The aquifer recharge demonstration will proceed in two phases:During Phase 1: potable water from the Citys distribution system will be injected over a 4-week period at a rate of 1 to 2 million gallons per day (mgd) to evaluate aquifer response. Injection flow rates, water quality, and water level trends will be observed in five monitoring wells and an injection well constructed for the demonstration test.During Phase 2: a high quality reclaimed water source will be produced using advanced water treatment techniques. The compatibility of the final recharge water source with native groundwater will be assessed using water quality data from the Phase 1 demonstration.81Possible Water SolutionsA clean, reliable supply of water is vital to the economy, ecology, and quality of life for the state of New Mexico.

There are potential policy solutions that the state can adopt that will help protect this vital resource.

82Rio Rancho Looks into the Future....In the Water Quality Report 2008, Rio Rancho explored New Water ResourcesRecently a brackish aquifer was discovered 3,800-feet beneath the Rio Puerco basin.What does it mean for our water future?Treated water could be sold to the City of Rio Rancho and its water customers. However, the final costs are not yet known. Sandoval County is undertaking a study for domestic consumption using desalinization and new technologies to remove other contaminants.83Steps towards a clean, reliable water supply...According to MeConserving Our Water Resources: Not overusing but using just enough.Adopting An Equilibrium Management Strategy: Balancing out New Mexicos rivers and groundwater water quantityMaintaining Water Quality: Reducing and Preventing pollution84Connecting ThemesA recap:Contamination can come from numerous sources including: coal mining, agriculture, runoff, anthropogenic and natural sources. Surface water and ground water are interconnected systems. So changes in one affect the other. A decrease in water quality is equivalent to a decrease in water quantity.Policy is designed to manage water quantity and quality. We all need clean water!!!

85References Anning, D.W., Bauch, N.J., Gerner, S.J., Flynn, M.E., Hamlin, S.N., Moore, S.J., Schaefer, D.H., Anderholm, S.K., & Spangler, L.E., 2007, Dissolved Solids in Basin-Fill Aquifers and Streams in the Southwestern United States: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5315, 168 p. Dernbach, J.C. (2009). Agenda for a Sustainable America. Washington D.C.: Environmental Law Institute. Winter, T.C., Harvey, J.W., Franke, O.L., and Alley, W.M., 1998, Ground Water and Surface Water a Single Resource: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1139. http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/wqcc/www.blm.govhttp://entowww.tamu.eduhttp://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/SWQB/NPS_Management_Plan-1999.PDFhttp://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/Mmd/AML/SugariteII.htmhttp://www.belen-nm.gov/departments/water_department/CCR_Reports/BelenCCR2008.pdf

86Referenceswww.agf.gov.bc.ca/.../images/acid_mine_fig1.jpgemnrd.state.nm.usNational Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs. July 2006. Safeguarding, Reclaiming, Restoring. http://www.onenet.net/~naamlp/index.html (accessed October 2009). New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, Mining and Minerals Division. Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program. Available at http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/mmd/AML/AMLmain.htm (Accessed October 2009)New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, Mining and Minerals Division. Coal Mine Reclamation Program. Available at http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/mmd/CMRP.htm (Accessed October 2009)USEPA. Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment: Acid Mine Drainage. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/maia/html/AMD_issue.html (accessed October 2009).USEPA. Mid-Atlantic Integrate Assessment: Mining Operations as Nonpoint Source Pollution. Available at http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/nps/mining/index.htm. (Accessed October 2009)USGS. Mine Drainage Newsletter. Application of the Microbial and Spectral Reflectances Technique (MAST) to the Identification of Acid Mine Drainage at Contrary Creek, Louisa County, Virginia. Number 4. Available at http://mine-drainage.usgs.gov/archive/contrary.html(Accessed October 2009)http://nmenv.state.nm.us

87References:Aletta Belin, Consuelo Bokum and Frank Titus, Taking Charge of Our Water Destiny: Water Management Policy Guide for New Mexico in the 21st Century, 2002.Fleming, WM & Hall, GE. Water conservation incentive for New Mexico: Policy andlegislative alternatives. Natural Resources Journal. Volume 40, Issue 1. Spring 2000Freilich, Robert H. Smart Growth in Western Metro Areas. Natural Resources Journal. Summer 2003, Vol. 43, Issue 3, pg 687-702.Huff, G.F. Aquifer composition and the tendency toward scale-deposit formation during reverse osmosis dealination-examples from saline ground water in New Mexico, USA. Desalination Volume 190, Issue 1-3, pg 235-242.Kunstler, James H. The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of Americas Man-Made landscape. Free Press; Later printing edition. July 26, 1994. Rio Rancho Water Quality Report-Spring 2008. http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/Archive.aspx?ADID=346Tidwell, Vincent, Howard Passell, Stephen Conrad, and Richard Thomas. System dynamics modeling for community-based water planning: Application to the Middle Rio Grande. Aquatic Sciences-Research Across Boundaries. Volume 66, Number 4. November 2004. pg357-372

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Questions?89What do you think is the biggest contribution to water pollution? ~How do you think this affects the water availability especially in the southwestern United States?

Discussion Question90Sheet1Table 1. A comparison of FDA/EPA water quality requirements, water quality samples collected in the Middle Rio Grande Basin during water years 1985 to 2004, and water quality samples collected at two flood control channel locations during water year 2004. Some Rio Grande data used from water year 2004 USGS online datasets. All concentrations shown as mg/L except where noted.

FDA Bottled Water RequirementEPA Tap Water RequirementRio Grande at San FelipeRio Grande at AlbuquerqueNorth Floodway nr. AlamedaSouth Diversion Channel nr. Albq.Date Sample Collected

Total Dissolved Solids500.0500.0219.5----105.0142.0Oct-03170.0202.0Nov-0360.092.0Mar-0480.0----Apr-0424.0148.0Jul-04Total Suspended Solids--------21.0393.31040.01140.0Oct-0335.0203.01548.0140.0Nov-0364.0196.7--------Dec-0313.0403.8--------Jan-0435.5351.0--------Feb-04215.01386.7852.0776.0Mar-04179.51111.0710.0----Apr-04412.0853.7--------May-0430.0169.8--------Jun-0432.5500.01812.0632.0Jul-04Arsenic0.0100.0100.0020.003Boron--------0.0400.060Cadmium (g/L)5.05.0--------3.164.69Oct-030.810.19Nov-030.330.55Mar-040.48----Apr-041.130.63Jul-04Calcium--------39.040.0Chloride250.0250.05.959.80Copper (g/L)1000.01300.01.22.040.057.3Oct-0338.824.1Nov-0329.838.7Mar-0422.6----Apr-0456.725.3Jul-04Iron0.30.30.010.014Lead (g/L)5.015.0--------60.877.2Oct-0336.113.7Nov-0337.690.4Mar-0425.3----Apr-0494.557.7Jul-04Nitrogen10.010.00.300.403.724.41Oct-035.471.83Nov-031.752.67Mar-042.19----Apr-044.614.50Jul-04Organic Carbon--------3.94.0Phosphorous--------